Stress and Gut Brain Axis

Stress

A state of physical or mental arousal produced by external stressors that an individual finds challenging.

Stressor

A stimulus, object, or event that evokes arousal in an individual.

Acute Stress

Short term stress characterized by brief but intense physiological arousal.

Chronic Stress

Long term stress that negatively affects health and well-being.

Eustress

A positive state of arousal that energizes and helps the body perform at optimal levels.

Distress

A negative state of arousal that drains energy and reduces performance.

Fight-Flight Response

An automatic physiological reaction to perceived threats, preparing the body to confront or escape.

Cortisol

A steroid hormone released by the adrenal gland that helps maintain homeostasis and responds to stress.

Dysbiosis

An imbalance in the gut microbiome characterized by less diversity of healthy microbiota.

Enteric Nervous System (E.N.S)

Part of the autonomic nervous system that communicates between the gut and the brain.

Gut-Brain Axis (GBA)

The bidirectional communication system between the gastrointestinal tract and the brain.

Microbiota

Organisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi present in the gastrointestinal tract.

Sympathetic Nervous System

The part of the autonomic nervous system that stimulates the body's fight-or-flight responses.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

The part of the autonomic nervous system that calms the body and restores equilibrium.

Cognitive functions

Mental processes that include thinking, learning, memory, and decision-making.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that transmit signals across synapses in the nervous system.